Meal Plan Monday: The Last Meals of Boston

It's that special time of the month again.

Sweet Momma Bell is coming to Boston tomorrow! 

As this will be her final visit to Boston before the big move, we've already planned on doing everything we possibly can.  Including eating and drinking ourselves silly.

And I'm so excited.

I've been sitting on this Boston to-do list of mine for quite some time.  I occasionally cross things off but not near enough to make a dent in the massive list.  So, as the time here in Boston is coming to a close I've started realizing that there is only so much time to actually get to some of these places.  And I wouldn't rather do it with anyone other than my precious mother.

As you can imagine I probably won't be blogging much this week due to a premeditated food and drink induced coma.  However, I'll periodically post pictures of our adventures so you can be jealous of our exorbitant consumption.

Make sure to check all of these places out (especially Salt Water Farm!!!) so you can drool over the deliciousness we're about to experience.

Oh and don't forget to have a great week and eat some great food!

Highland Kitchen

Harvest

T.W. Food

Salt Water Farm

Craigie on Main

FoMu Vegan Ice Cream

Photo via Veg Boston

Belly Wine Bar

Photo via Thrillist

Citizen Public House

Local Root

Photo via The Boston Globe

American Provisions

Photo via Dig Boston

Formaggio Kitchen

Photo via Slash Food

Meal Plan Monday

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of fun.

First a trip to Missouri for my big sister's wedding "reception".

Then a few days in Boston with my sweet pal Ashley from The Uniqueness of Being.

And to top it all off...The Newport Folk Festival.







I promise I didn't sell my soul to have this kind of fun.  I just happen to be pretty lucky.

But after all of this fun...I need to take a major trip to the grocery store and get my buns in the kitchen.  It's been far too long since I've made a meal.  So this week is all about being in the kitchen and getting some healthy food in my body.  I'm craving it.  And I promise I'm actually going to share some recipes this week!

Happy Monday everyone!

Pinto Bean and Summer Squash Salad with Green Dressing

-from Scandi Foodie

Salmon with Sriracha and Lime

-from Self Magazine via Gwenyth Paltrow

Baked Falafel Salad

-from Cookie + Kate

Spicy Bean and Sweet Potato Burrito

-from Tali's Tomatoes

Panzanella with Artichokes, Heirloom Tomatoes, and Olives

-from Kitchen Confidante

Grilled Kale Salad with Beets, Figs, and Ricotta

-from Five and Spice

Korean Kimchi Wraps

-from Green Kitchen Stories

Meal Plan Monday - A Mexican Party!

This weekend I'll be traveling home for the finale of a very special event...one that I've never really talked about or shared on here...

My gorgeous sister's wedding in Mexico!

With the timing of the wedding being right before finals I never got the chance to share wedding details.  So I figured today's Meal Plan Monday would be the perfect time to share some of the recipes I have my eyes on to make for this weekend's little "reception" as well as some of the pictures from the wedding day.

WARNING: This post is photo heavy.  But I tried to keep it under control.  I promise.

Out of the ridiculous amount of photos, I decided to only share pictures from the wedding day itself as a way to not bore you by the time you reached photo collage #435.



The wedding day started out just as any big day should.  With amazing, out of this world food.  That morning just me and Codi (my amazing big sis) headed away from the resort to a small little place called La Cueva del Chango.  The scenery was breathtaking and just what we needed to relax before the big day.  I ordered orange/carrot/papaya juice and Codi jumped on the mimosa train to ease the nerves.  We opened a few presents and tried to soak everything in as we waited on our food.  To be honest I don't even know what I ordered...it was a special of some sort.  It involved eggs, peppers, chaya, avocado, a bowl of black beans, and fresh warm tortillas.  It was amazing.  Perfect.  Just what we needed.  And of course...we went back the next morning.



As soon as we returned from breakfast it was time to start getting ready.  And then the nerves really started to kick in...for both of us.  But Dad being the superhero that he is, diligently brought drinks to the room as needed.  We took our time primping, taking pictures, and doing the very girly "fan your face and try not to cry" thing (as you can see Codi getting ready to do on the left) as we waited for the photographer to arrive.



After the photographer had taken a few solo shots of Codi in the room we were informed that it was go time.  The walk from the room to the gazebo was the longest/most nerve wracking walk I've ever experienced.  Codi was nervous, which seemed to rub off on me.  But as soon as we hit the gazebo nervousness turned into emotion.  And me being the slightly unemotional being that I am...turned into a big blubbering mess.  But a happy blubbering mess is okay.  Especially if your big sis is behind you doing the exact same thing.  That's my rule of thumb anyway.



As soon as Dad handed Codi off, the tears turned into big big smiles.  The ceremony was short but beautiful and couldn't have been any more perfect for Codi and Curt.  To be honest it's all a bit of a blur due to the emotional high but I've never seen my sis so darn happy.



Immediately after the ceremony everyone grabbed a drink and headed to the beach for some photos, laughs, and hugs.  It was the perfect end to an even more perfect wedding.

And it was easily one of the most exciting moments I've ever been apart of and I still couldn't be any happier for them. {I can't wait to squeeze you both this weekend!}



And now for the food.  I would love to hear some votes on which of the following I should make OR any other party food suggestions you may have!  Have a great week everyone!

Pico de Gallo

-from The Galley Gourmet

Guacamole

-from GI 365

Spinach, Manchego, Raisin, and Hazelnut Mini Empanadas

-from The Kitchen Sink Recipes

Elote Fritters

-from Spoon Fork Bacon

Enchilada Stuffed Mushrooms

-from Lauren's Latest

Cheesy Chorizo and Caramelized Onion Dip

-from Foodiecrush

Mexican Grilled Corn

-from I Wash...You Dry

Bang Bang Chicken Kabobs

-from Center Cut Cook

Chipotle Lime Shrimp

-from Gimme Some Oven

Smoky Watermelon-Jalapeno Margarita

-from Boulder Locavore

Michelada

-from Running with Tweezers

Meal Plan Monday

Over the last month or so my sweet mother has been testing out a new way of eating.  Because of some issues with food and a constant sick feeling, she decided to take things into her own hands and figure out what was going on.  It's not a "diet" because those aren't real and for the most part don't work.  It's a new way of life and it's been eye opening for her.

The whole idea is to cut out gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, peanuts, soy, and sugar out of her diet for 21 days.  And then one by one she adds them back in to determine what it is that's been causing her so many darn problems.

*Side note-Before she started this she could NOT eat raw vegetables or lettuce, something that the doctors told her was a texture issue.  However, now that she is on this....lettuce and raw vegetables?  Totally fine.

This isn't any easy thing to do.  But she's been an absolute champ about it.  She's discovering all sorts of new foods and new ways to put wonderful things into her body.  And I couldn't be more happy/proud about it.  She's making a huge leap.  One that her body needs.

So, in support I'm going to attempt it with her.  My reasons for starting it are far different than hers however.  I don't necessarily think that I have any allergies to those seven things.  But this is a way for me to find new foods and new combinations that I wouldn't have discovered without cutting a few things out.  And of course it's a way to help her.  Not just in moral support when we are both having a major chocolate craving but to find and test possible recipes for her since my schedule is a bit less chaotic than hers.

All of the recipes below are (loosely) without gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, peanuts, soy, and sugar.  Some of them have a sprinkling of cheese or some other minor ingredient that just needs to be tossed aside.  Even if you're not in this for the long haul, try a recipe or two and let me know what you think!

OH.  And happy Monday.

A Salad of White Peaches and Asparagus

from - The Year in Food

Paprika Shrimp and Sausage Quinoa Paella

from - Domestic Fits

Grilled Vegetable Stack with Lemon Hummus

from - Gluten Free Goddess

Apricot, Kale, and Quinoa Salad

from - Get Off Your Tush and Cook

Cauliflower Puree with Roasted Chickpeas

from - Love and Lemons

Salmon Skewers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

from - Sprouted Kitchen

Moroccan Quinoa Salad

from - Green Kitchen Stories

Fourth of July Meal Plan Monday

I am officially back in Boston!

And I admittedly did a horrible job with posting while on the road.  No guest posts.  One recipe.  One road update.  Just all around poorly executed.  But hey.  I had an unbelievable time.  Ate scrumptious food.  And explored the country.  So it wasn't that poorly executed...

And I'm back in time for a Fourth of July Meal Plan Monday!  That's pat on the back worthy right?  Right.

While I don't have any plans set in stone for this week's holiday, I do have a very special visitor coming to town!  One of my childhood friends is coming to spend the weekend with me and I couldn't be more excited!  (I desperately want to toot her horn for her and tell you that THIS girl is my age, has her masters degree, passed the CPA with flying colors, and has an awesome job...did I mention she's my age?)  After a bit of site seeing I'd say we will post up in the park with our neighborhood clan for an evening of food, cornhole, fireworks, and a few libations.  Not a bad evening if you ask me.

What all do you have planned?  Are you making any good food?  Tell me about it!  After you drool over these recipes of course...

THE BREAKFAST:

1. Patriotic Pancake Stacks from Modern Parents Messy Kids // 2. Raspberry Sweet Rolls from Scarborough Food Fair // 3. Quinoa Almond Berry Bowl from Oh She Glows // 4. Strawberry Blueberry Cream Smoothies from Daily Dish Recipes //

THE DRINKS:

1. Grilled Peach Infused Bourbon from The Uniqueness of Being // 2. Philly Smash from Imbibe // 3. Bourbon Cherry Cooler from Honestly Yum// 4. Grilled Watermelon Cocktail from The Primlani Kitchen // 5. Pimm's Cup from Scarborough Food Fair //

THE SIDES:

1. Grilled Berry and Brie Pizza Crisps from Half Baked Harvest // 2. Boiled Peanuts from Scarborough Food Fair // 3. Cheese and Jalapeno Stuffed Pretzel Rolls from Confessions of a Bright-Eyed Baker  // 4. Mexican Corn from Mango & Tomato // 5. Grilled Potatoes with Mushrooms and Dill from Neighbor Food // 6. Gazpacho from Scarborough Food Fair //

THE MAIN DISHES:

1. Grilled Peach and Portobello Burger from Green Kitchen Stories via Design Sponge // 2. IPA Ceviche from the Beeroness // 3. Spicy Sriracha Grilled Tofu from The Bitten Word // 4. Grilled Eggplant, Halloumi, and Pesto Burgers from Veggie Belly // 5. Stuffed Poblano Peppers from Scarborough Food Fair //

THE SWEETS:

1. Ricotta Cheesecake from My Baking Addiction // 2. Cherry Tartlets from Riley Madel // 3. Honey Lime Lemongrass Popsicles from Adventures in Cooking // 4. Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Honey Butter from Alaska from Scratch // 5. Raspberry S'mores from Fare to Remember // 6. Blackberry Raspberry Lemon Pie from Scarborough Food Fair //